"But he could help her figure it out."
"I know.And so does she.But that's kind of the point.She wants to be able to figure it out for herself.If she can."
"Yeah, but can she?"
Callie shrugged."I have a feeling the answer to that might turn out to be no.She has no job.She has no work lined up.And the most important point is that she was only taking the job for health benefits.She's sick, Ollie.I don't know what kind of sick, but she needs a doctor."
He nodded solemnly."She hasn’t gotten any better?"
"She doesn't seem it to me.I've been feeding them both, making sure she eats well.But there's something going on with her.She's not just tired or undernourished or something."
"No, I agree."He straightened his shoulders, looking — she didn't know what.Determined, maybe?Or perhaps he was just mad.
"I'm sorry I lied to you."
His expression gentled."You didn't lie.It's not as though you told me that she was in Oregon and fine or anything, is it?"
"No, but I didn't tell you she was here.And to me, lying by omission is still lying."
She couldn't read the look that crossed his face.Couldn't tell if he agreed with her or exactly what he was thinking.
He glanced toward the door again."Maybe we should go out there and entertain Zia.I imagine that Reaves and Alara are going to want to talk."
Callie made a face."I know Reaves will want to.I'm not so sure about Alara."
Ollie ran his hand through his hair."Well, it'll be up to the two of them how they figure it out.But we should probably go and see if we can be of any help."
Despite the situation, Callie's heart felt as though it filled up and overflowed when she saw Reaves holding Zia.She had her little arms wrapped around his neck and a huge smile on her face.
"Look, Lady Sunshine, my wish came true.Prince Daddy's here."
Reaves was smiling at Zia, but it faded when he turned to Callie.He looked confused and also hurt, and she couldn't blame him.
"We should go and see Mommy," said Zia."She's going to be so happy to see you."
Callie cringed, wondering if that was true.
"Where is she?"Reaves asked.
"In the camper.We're parked just behind the trees — they’re looking after us."Zia pointed, and Reaves glanced back at Callie.
She gave him an apologetic shrug, not knowing if she should let Alara explain herself or if there was anything she could say to cushion the blow.
"Does she not want to see me?"Reaves asked.
"It's not like that," she told him."It's not that she doesn't want to see you.It's more that..."
"Of course she does," said Zia."We should go.Mommy!"she called.
"Why don't you go see if she wants to come, Z?"Callie suggested.
Reaves set her down and she hesitated for a moment, no doubt wanting to take Reaves with her.She glanced back at Callie, who nodded."Go on.It'll be okay."
As Zia scampered off back to the camper, Reaves came to Callie."What's going on?"
She shook her head sadly and repeated what she'd told Ollie about finding them still parked down by the beach on Friday."She's in a bit of a mess, Reaves, that's all."
"I figured that much, and I want to help her."
